Realization of IPv6 connectivity via RS485 fieldbus by adaption of 6LoWPAN

As the internet protocol is the de-facto standard for communication on the internet even very constrained devices with low computing power, working memory and battery power capacity should be addressable via an IP-based network infrastructure. To fulfil this necessity communication with wireless devices could be realized by applying 6LoWPAN. Wireless sensor networks are a main topic nowadays, but sometimes a well structured, wire-based infrastructure is more suitable. Based on this assumption we transferred basic 6LoWPAN concepts, ideas, and two implementations from an IEEE 802.15.4-based wireless to a wire-based RS485 network. In this paper, we outline our main objectives and decision points of this transformation process from a technical point of view. We highlight our crucial adoption steps and main changes to bring IPv6 network capability to RS485. Contiki and GNU/Linux implementations for our IPv6 over RS485 approaches were realised to verify correct functionality. With this work we enable tiny devices to be integrated efficiently into IPv6 networks without the necessity of equipping them with Ethernet controller or other expensive hardware components, avoid translation and transformation steps in the gateways, and so speed up development.